The conclusions adopted by the EU Foreign Affairs Council yesterday (15
July) will in no way affect Turkey's determination to continue its
hydrocarbon activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.

These conclusions demonstrate how prejudiced and biased the EU is with
regard to Cyprus as they make no reference to the Turkish Cypriots, who
have equal rights over the natural resources of the Island, in total
disregard of their existence in Cyprus.

These conclusions are the latest examples of how the Greek Cypriot-Greek
duo abuse their EU memberships for the sake of their maximalist positions
and how other EU countries are instrumental to this end.

As we have repeatedly emphasized in the past, our hydrocarbon activities in
the Eastern Mediterranean have two dimensions: the protection of our rights
on our continental shelf, and the protection of the equal rights of the
Turkish Cypriots, who are co-owners of the Island, over the hydrocarbon
resources of the Island.

Within the first dimension, it is not possible for Turkey to start talks
with the Greek Cypriot Administration to delimit maritime jurisdiction
areas before the settllement of the Cyprus issue. Because the so-called
Republic of Cyprus is not a real state in the eyes of Turkey and TRNC, as
it has not been representing the Turkish Cypriots since 1963. The Republic
of Cyprus, which was founded on the political equality of the Turkish
Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots, ceased to exist in 1963. The reason why
the Cyprus issue has remained unresolved up until today is the Greek
Cypriots’ non-acceptance of the Turkish Cypriots’ political equality since
1963. The interlocutor of the Greek Cypriot Administration is the TRNC, not
Turkey. It is not possible for the EU to understand and make a constructive
contribution to the Cyprus issue unless it acknowledges these facts, and
regards the Turkish Cypriots, not as a minority, but as the co-owner of the
Island.

As to the second dimension, the solution is only possible if the rights of
the Turkish Cypriots are guaranteed. In this context, the comprehensive
cooperation proposal of Turkish Cypriots, made on 13 July 2019, which is
also fully supported by our country, is an important opportunity for a
solution.

EU’s preference for taking decisions against Turkey, rather than making use
of this opportunity and encouraging the two sides to come together on the
Island with regard to the hydrocarbon resources, is an ineffective,
unrealistic and unconstructive behavior.

Our country will continue to protect both its own rights and the rights of
Turkish Cypriots with determination, and will further boost its activities
to this end. The EU, who has not kept its promises to the Turkish Cypriots
since 26 April 2004, has no word to say to us in this regard.

It is also revealing to observe that these decisions were taken on a very
important day for the Turkish people, the third anniversary of the heinous
coup attempt of July 15.

Monday - Friday

09:00 - 16:00 / Kon. 09:00 - 14:00

Visa applications of foreigners subject to visa who wish to travel to Turkey are accepted by Visafg (www.visafg.com) .
Before the application, it is necessary to make an appointment at www.visafg.com and obtain the necessary documents.
Emir Bachir Street Lazarists Building A2-1 1st floor Beirut Central District - Lebanon beirut@visafg.com +961 (0) 1 97 06 05)
www.visafg.com